A few years ago, state regulators were saying that potash mining may be the “next big thing” in North Dakota.

It hasn’t happened yet. But the state mineral resources department will be holding hearings on rules for mining the high value fertilizer.

"The potash industry was somewhat holding its breath, waiting to see what those rules were going to look like," said state Mineral Resource director Lynn Helms. "Once that process is behind us, the geologist that we hired to work subsurface minerals is going to put together a reporton whet we know about potash."

A House committee is considering proposals to raise the cost for hunting, fishing and boat licenses.

Those fees have not been raised for years.

"We haven't kept pace with states around us," State Game and Fish director Terry Steinwand told the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee. "We've really become the bargain basement place to hunt and fish for non-residents."

Senator-elect Heidi Heitkamp says she believes a strong case can be made for federal funding of the Red River diversion project.

Heitkamp says she agrees with holding federal spending down – and spending only on demonstrated need – but she says the project meets that test.

"Certainly, protecting Fargo is a huge need this region has," said Heitkamp. "I think it will pay huge dividends in return, in part, because every time we have these seasonal floods, millions of dollars get spent fighting the flood, as opposed to preventing the damage."

Thursday, October 4 – Caravanserai is a new international program aimed at establishing greater understanding between American and Islamic societies … and it’s coming to Jamestown. Joining us is Adam Perry, the Caravanserai program officer at Arts Midwest, and Taylor Barnes, director of the Jamestown Arts Center. ~~~ Visiting North Dakota is James Hmurovich, president and CEO of Prevent Child Abuse America. We’ll discuss some of the progress made in the state, and learn about some of the challenges that remain.